Apprentice Materials Scientist
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Company: THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
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Location: Greater Manchester, M13 9PL
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: £25,249.00 per year
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Sector: Engineering and manufacturing
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Ref: NAS-2000035487
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Application Deadline Date: 15/07/2026
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Start Date: 07/09/2026
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Positions Available: 1
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Working Week: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.(Variable times to suit workplace requirements). 1 hour for lunch.
Brief Description
Start your career as a Materials Scientist through an apprenticeship in our Faculty of Science & Engineering. Build a strong skills portfolio supporting laboratories across synthesis, characterisation, and testing. You’ll gain hands-on expertise in XRD, SEM, AFM, spectroscopy, and testing using our world-class facilities.
Training to be Provided
To start, we offer a unique 5-year programme filled to the brim with a wide range of technical training across a multitude of skills such as chemical analysis, material science investigation and applications, research techniques, microscopy, and much more.
This training will be underpinned by in-house and external courses such as pipette, centrifuge, cryogenics, COSHH, IOSH training and the list continues. All these skills will be applied to cutting-edge equipment and technology, making this the apprenticeship to beat.
Initial training is deliberately broad to teach a wide range of technical competencies, allowing you time to learn and discover the variety of careers within an ever-changing scientific environment.
You will spend a mixture of time working alongside a day/block release course to gain the technical skills required to carry out your duties as a Materials Scientist. We will provide you with all the necessary tools and equipment, uniform, and robust training to make this the apprenticeship of your choice.
Future Prospects
Upon completion of the apprenticeship in 5 years’ time, you will have a portfolio of key science and engineering skills and a wealth of varied, relevant experience.
Most apprentices are successful in securing a role with the university or choose to continue their academic studies. Opportunities to progress onto a higher apprenticeship or degree apprenticeship exist for high-performing candidates upon completion of their first apprenticeship with us.
Whilst we cannot guarantee a permanent position at the University of Manchester, we endeavour to match apprentices with appropriate vacancies and support them through the entire application process.
Vacancy Detail
Service and upkeep materials and science equipment, glassware, consumables, and sample preparation tools.
Ensure safe working order, proper storage, and accurate cataloguing.
Perform basic maintenance on lab apparatus. Liaise with equipment manufacturers or external service engineers to troubleshoot faults and schedule contractor visits, keeping colleagues informed of progress.
Keep labs tidy, orderly, and safe on a daily basis.
Track equipment and consumable stock levels. Raise orders and coordinate with colleagues as needed.
Organise the delivery and disposal of solvents, chemicals, and materials in accordance with relevant regulations.
Monitor consumable gases used in processing and characterisation equipment.
Develop and review operating procedures and safe working practices based on daily observations and growing technical knowledge.
Under the guidance of senior technicians, demonstrate safe equipment operation, basic maintenance, and standard processes to students, staff, and visitors.
Induct users to ensure safe work in controlled or hazardous environments (e.g., clean-rooms, high-temperature labs, fume cupboards).
Identify and resolve straightforward practical issues, such as instrument errors or sample preparation issues. Escalate complex problems to senior colleagues.
Use experience and initiative to execute daily tasks and prioritise your workload with appropriate guidance.
Other Information
We are strongly committed to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and encourage all applicants to apply. Our university is positive about flexible working, blended working arrangements may be considered.